Career in 3D Design?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Cyberguy34000

I like to make 3D models... I'd like to get a job making 3D models... Unfortunately I have no degree to speak of yet so employment has been difficult to find. I've applied to over a hundred (literally, not figuratively) places, architecture firms, real estate companies, theater groups, etc... But I have yet to return a long-term job.

Although I should note, I have had some fairly successful one-offs for some set designers (my work was on HGTV this Saturday!), I'm having trouble coming up with long-term stuff. Any ideas on people that would be interested in having 3D models created for them?

-Chris

I'm sure Elgin and others will speak up and talk a little bit more about the work they do and how it might help you find somethings that are interesting to you.

"3D Design" is a really broad description and you have better success if you narrow your search a bit more, if you've not done so already. In my mind, "3D design" encompasses everything from computer-generated imagery to architectural modeling to industrial design -- with a lot of stops in between. As you might imagine, all of these things have vastly different goals and thus require some unique skillsets. You'll need to bring a lot more to the table than familiarity with SketchUp, for example -- which, incidentally, is most prevalent in architecture and interior design -- to be a viable candidate. Most companies simply don't have the time or resources to add an additional step and person to the process of conceiving of and illustrating a design for an office building.

I don't mean for this to discourage you, but rather to say that you should try to give us more information about what you're interested in modeling and know that you're likely going to have to specialize in something to be able to market yourself as a valuable asset to folks. Once you've done that and you get your foot in the door, you can start to expand your skills and interests to include more interesting work. I, for example, started design with AutoCAD when I was 12 or 13 and today list proficiency (of somewhat varying levels, admittedly) with AutoCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA and SketchUp.